Meanwhile Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has rescheduled his return flight from London to Bangkok to personally command the flood crisis response and accelerate aid for the public, starting immediately tomorrow morning.
The public was urged to avoid 93 routes with the flood crisis expected to be resolved in two to three days’ time.
Heavy rain is lashing several provinces and consequently, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has declared all 50 districts disaster zones.
The Thonburi side of the metropolis is not facing significant issues, however, the Phra Nakhon side has received rainfall amounting to approximately 223 million cubic metres. With a pumping capacity of 1,200 cubic metres per second, it is estimated that drainage will take two to three days. There is also an influx of water from surrounding areas, but if the rain stops, the situation is expected to improve.
“You can see that the water in some canals still appears reddish-brown. However, the Chao Phraya river has a high drainage capacity, so the situation isn’t critical. We need to pump out as much water as possible; all pumps are operating at full capacity, including the drainage tunnels along the Chao Phraya river.
“This morning, I consulted relevant agencies, particularly the Royal Irrigation Department, regarding water released from Rangsit canal. The plan is to divert it into the Chao Phraya river so it bypasses Bangkok, or route some of it through Phra Ong Chao Chaiyanuchit canal, thereby minimising the impact on the capital.
“Samut Prakan province is facing a rather severe situation, as are Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi. We are attempting to divert water laterally to minimise the impact on Bangkok, including redirecting some flow toward Chachoengsao province — especially from Saen Saep canal, which is currently in a critical state,” Chadchart said.
Overall, there is no food shortage and travel restrictions are mainly limited to areas along the canals, and there are still alternative routes available. Furthermore, there is no widespread panic regarding food supplies. Instructions have been issued to district offices to facilitate the provision of food and sandbags to communities. Residents capable of doing so can pick up sandbags themselves, or communities can coordinate to have the district office deliver them.
“For bedridden patients, please call 1669 to ensure urgent medical attention. For general assistance requests — such as sandbags or reporting issues — please call the district office number or the Traffy Fondue hotline at 1555; staff will receive the report and follow up with you.”
Residents concerned about potential vehicle damage can park at any BMA Park & Ride facility, as well as the Government Complex at Chaeng Watthana, Central and The Mall department stores (all branches), Fashion Island, and Lotus’s. Details are available on the BMA’s Facebook page. If in doubt, it is advisable to park at a shopping mall for the time being.
“There are currently 233 shelters available, accommodating 981 people so far with a total capacity of 15,000, we do not anticipate any issues. For this coming Monday, BMA staff whose roles do not require direct public service — excluding Public Works and Sanitation staff — are requested to work from home.”
The Meteorological Department said rain will persist today and tomorrow (Sep.26–27) with many areas needing to remain alert for heavy to very heavy downpour. While a decrease is expected on Monday, heavy rain may still occur in some areas.
A strong low-pressure system is covering the Central region and the Bangkok metropolitan area. Combined with a relatively strong southwesterly monsoon, this is causing continuous rainfall in the Central region, Bangkok and its vicinity, and the Eastern region. Meanwhile, the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern regions are experiencing heavy to very heavy rain in some areas.
Areas already flooded or have high accumulation of rainfall should be cautious of additional rain, particularly low-lying areas and locations prone to recurring floods. Travellers are advised to check their routes before setting out.
Wave heights in the upper Gulf of Thailand and the upper Andaman Sea are expected to reach 2–3 metres, exceeding 3 metres in areas hit by thunderstorms. Small boats should refrain from leaving shore until tomorrow,
While rain is expected to decrease on Monday, heavy downpour will persist in some western areas of the North and Central regions.
In another development, at 4.20 p.m. today the Red Line electric train service announced a temporary suspension across both routes, Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal – Rangsit and Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal – Taling Chan routes, due to a technical issue with safety inspections currently underway.
CAPTIONS:
Top, third insert and Front Page: Bangkok flooded.
First insert: Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt giving a press conference on Bangkok floods.
Second insert: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul quickly returning home. All photos – Amarin TV
Watch video shared by Mario Nawfal @MarioNawfal on X.com
https://x.com/WeatherMonitors/status/2103708806794629164/video/1?t=4
Watch another video shared by Silent Observer @YousufPash69914 on X.com:
https://x.com/YousufPash69914/status/2103711968947499301/video/1?t=15
Earlier reports:
Bangkok in critical situation amid non-stop rain with many areas flooded
Govt launches 24-hour war room to monitor rainfall, water levels in Central region
Saen Saep canal boat service suspended amid persistant rain
Also read:
Sondhi pledges life-long battle to throw 5 election commissioners in jail
People urged to keep an eye on Constitutional Court ruling over election’s validity
People’s seeks tip-offs for use in censure debate against ‘Blue Regime’
Nene Royal, America’s Got Talent champion, set to join major merit-making event
Court lifts Yingluck’s appeal over 10-billion-baht pay for rice subsidy scheme
Renegade Klatham removed from opposition bloc
Most election commissioners taken to task for kowtowing to Bhumjaithai
25 years later, WoT has the “War on Terror” achieved?
